Footboard light for locomotives



Aug.17,1926. L59&245

J. E. FRANKLIN FOOTBOARD LIGHT FOR LOCOMOTIVES Fired May 22,-1925 INVENTOR John E. Frank 1 in Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

UNITED STATES JOHN E. FRANKLIN, OF WICHITA KANSAS.

FOOTBOARD LIGHT FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

Application filed May 22, 1925. Serial No. 32,034.-

The invention relates to a safety lighting means and mechanism for use by railroads and others employing locomotives, the purpose of the invention being to illuminate the footboard of switch engines and the like, at night. Switchmen, brakemen and trainmen in general are subject under present conditions to the possibility of suffering a serious accident by reason of the fact that the headlight of the engine does not entirely and satisfactorily illuminate the footboa-rd, upon which it is the practice for them to leap or step in the functioning of their offices. In the darkness, the eye cannot always function with the brain and limbs the employee to the endthat he will in all cases alight properly upon the footboard. It is for the purpose of properly lighting the foot-boad that the presentinvention finds its use, together with the further advantages of serving as a guard to protect from dust, dirt and the possibility of falling under the wheels. Further objects t einvention will be SCl'lPtlOll; of tie drawings, in which Fig. l is a front view of an engine footboard and allied supports on the engine or tender and showing the lighting device and guard parts in conjunction therewith. Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view taken along the line HI-III, Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a front view of the part seen in 3 with portions in se1tion and broken away to show the front view of an electric bulb as positioned in its socket and in respect to the reflector.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout all the figures of the drawings.

Referring to-the drawings; the main sill 10 may be considered on the rear of the tender or the front of the locomotive as in customary practice. Dependingfrom the sill 10 are heavy strap iron hangers 11 which support footboard 12 and toe boards 13 in the usual manner. A metal guard plate 14 is fastened by lag screws or bolts 15 to the face of the sill 10 from which the plate 14 hangs. Behind the guard 14 is arranged the electric bulb 16 horizontally disposed; at

disclosed in the de-' 1. is the socket and 18, 18 are electric wires leading thereto.

A sheet metal plate 19 secured to the toe board 13 is bent upwardly at an angle and thence bent vertically at 20 to receive and support the socket 17. The upper edge of the guard plate 19 is bent at right angles and bolted at 21 to the base of the sill 10. A reflector 22 supported from the guard 19 by brackets 23 and 24 covers the lamp 16 arranged behind the protecting shield 14 and when the electric bulb is illuminated, the light therefrom is directed upon the foot board for the purposes of the invention.

ll hen an employee jumps upon the footboard, the shield 14 prevents him from striking the reflector 22 or bulb 16. The guard 19 prevents him from falling under the wheels and also prevents dust etc., from blowing upon the employee standing upon the footboard.

Such modifications may be employed as lie within the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention what I now claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A locomotive sill; an electric light bulb arranged below the sill and behind the face thereof, a footboard supported from the sill and a reflector for directing electric rays from said bulb directly towards sa'idfootboard; a guard plate afliX-ed to and depending from the face of the sill as a forward shield for said reflector and a dust guard and protective screen behind the bulb and as a support therefor.

2. In combination on a locomotive; a sill, a footboard carried therefrom, an electric bulb in an electric circuit arranged beneath and behind the face of the sill; a reflector for said bulb, a guard plate affixed as a shield on the face of the sill downwardly extending as a protection for saidrefiector and bulb; a guard plate connecting between the foot-board and sill behind the bulb and supporting the bulb socket.

In testimony whereof I hereunto Elll'lX my signature.

JOHN E. FRANKLIN. 

